Genesis 32: 25, "When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man." Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart- these, O God, You will not despise."

Think

"God needs to break us before he can bless us." We live in a society where nearly everything is disposable. If something breaks, rather than fixing it, we simply discard it. Why? Because we can't really use broken things. But God can ... and does! Think about these examples from Scripture:

• In Judges 7:19, Gideon's men had to break the jars before they could win the battle.
• In Mark 14:3, the woman had to break the alabaster container before she could pour the perfume on Jesus' head.
• In Matthew 14:19, Jesus had to break the bread before he could feed the 5,000.

All this illustrates the fact that God can, and does, use broken things. And to be used by God is to be blessed by God. We often think that being broken disqualifies us when it is actually preparing us! Where does God need to "break" you? Maybe it's a bad habit. Maybe it's a prideful spirit. Maybe it's a lustful thought-life. Whatever it is that God needs to break in your life, hand over control to him and let him break it. Because it is when God breaks you that he can truly bless you!

Act

So often, the first step is to acknowledge the fact that we are struggling and need help. Do you find yourself facing something you just can't get over? Admit your area of struggle and ask God to break you down so he can build you back up.

Pray

God, right now I admit to you that I am struggling with _____________. I ask you to break me in this area. And I trust that through the process of breaking me, you will begin to bless me.